Tube sealing machine



Dec. 13, 1955 Original Filed May 10, 1946 J. J. FRANK L TUBE SEALING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Q/OSQ h 01 rank Jame Cf. Mary BY x0 TTORNEY United States Patent F TUBE SEALING MACHINE Joseph J. Frank, Union, and James C. Macy, Westfield,

N. 1., assignors t0 Hercules Fasteners, Inc., a corporation of New Jersey Continuation of application Serial No. 668,892, May 10, 1946, now abandoned. This application February 23, 1951, Serial N 213,250

9 Claims. (Cl. 153-1) This application is a continuation of our application s l' l No. 668,892, filed May 10, 19.46, for Tube Sealing Machine, now abandoned.

This invention relates to the sealing of flexible tubes and particularly to a machine adapted to seal flexible tubes by crimping eyelets upon the ends thereof.

Flexible pellicular tubes such as are made of regenerated cellulose, acetate, vinyl compounds, and similar organic resinous material, are known and have been widely employed in certain industries. For example, regenerated cellulose tubes have been used in the meat-packing industry as sausage casings and have proved highly valuable in such use. Inasmuch as this invention has particular relation to the meat-packing industry, the further description herein will be directed to a particular problem of tube sealing that arises in that industry, but it is to be understood that, Particular description is for purposes of illustration only and does not constitute a limitation of the invention.

In the meat-packing industry it has been customary in the past to encase Bologna sausage in a natural product, or in a regenerated cellulose tube. In either case, the casing is tied by hand with coarse string, three knots being required at each end of the casing. That method is imperfect in that it is time-consuming, the string becomes soiled and unsightly, and breakages of string and imperfect sealing of the casing occasionally occur.

By means of a process described in our patent, No. 2,493,063, issued January 3, 1950, the disadvantages of the prior art have been overcome and the ends of the sausage encasings sealed by means of a metal eyelet applied to and crimped upon the pleated end of a tubular sausage casing. This invention is a machine adapted to carry out the process and to apply the eyelets described in the said patent.

It is an object of this invention to seal the end of a flexible tube by crimping a metal eyelet thereupon.

Another object of the invention is to produce a machine having an escapement adapted to feed eyelets singly to dies adapted to crimp an eyelet upon the end of a tube.

Another object is to construct novel dies adapted to crimp a flanged eyelet upon the end of a tube without materially warping the flange.

Yet another object is to eject sealed tubes from the sealing machine in coordination with the operation of the dies and the eyelet feeding mechanism.

The objects of the invention are accomplished, generally speaking, by the machine, and by particular parts thereof, shown in the accompanying drawing and described in this specification, it being understood that this particular embodiment is for purposes of illustration only, and does not constitute a limitation.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refe to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine embodying principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same machine;

2,726,701 Patented Dec. 13, 1955 Fig. 3 is a side view of an upper die;

Fig. 4 is a front view of a cooperating lower die with the face plate removed;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the face plate attached;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the dies in operation;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational front view of dies of modified construction; and

Fig. 8 is a side view of the construction of Fig. 7.

The construction of Figures 3 and 4 is basic and will be first described. In those figures the numeral 10 generally indicates an upper die and the numeral 20 the cooperating lower die. The upper die has a shank 11 that is adapted to be fitted to and fixed within an appropriate socket in a reciprocating machine part. It has, a body portion 12 of generally rectangular section that is reduced on the front face to provide an abutment 13 against which the upper curve of a flanged metal eyelet may rest during the crimping of its barrel. The bottom of the body portion is provided with a single rib 14, which is offset from the front of the body portion. The bottom is joined to the face 13 by an inclined, and preferably rounded, surface 15 that serves to shape the part of the eyelet barrel adjacent the flange during crimping.

The lower die has a shank 21 with a fiat face 22, and sides 23, 24 that are spaced apart a distance suflicient to keep the barrels of the eyelets between the crimping ribs during the sealing operation. The width of the body portion 12 of the upper die is equal to the distance between the sides 23, 24 of the lower die. The front face of the lower die is grooved as indicated at 25 to receive the outwardly extending annular flange of the sealing eyelet, the space 25 being approximately equal in width to the diameter of the eyelet flange and somewhat greater in dep h than the thickness thereof, to enable the eyelets to be emplaced and removed freely. A metal plate 27 is attached by screws 28 and screw' threaded holes 26 to the front of the lower die, thus providing a slot in the lower die adapted to receive and brace the rim of the eyelet. The front face of the plate is provided with a semicircular, bevelled notch 29 that is aligned with the inner curve of the emplaced eyelet and serves to guide the collapsed tube end into place in the eyelet before crimping. The flat face 22 of shank 21 insured proper alignment in a cooperating socket of like shape. A similar device may be used to align the upper die in its socket. Ribs 30, 31 are placed on either side of a plane through rib 14, cooperating therewith to crimp the eyelet. They too are spaced from the face of the dies- In Fig. 6 is shown a modified form of the device of Figures 3 and 4, in operation at. the stage when the eyelet is about to be compressed. A showing of the tube end within the eyelet has been omitted. In this figure the number 40 indicates a die similar to the die 10, but of less depth and without the bracing face 13'. Instead, support is given to the flange 41 of eyelet 42 by a displaceable annulus 43 that ridesrup and down on the body portion 44 of the die within limits set by the shoulders 45746 of a groove 47 and a pin 48 carried by the annulus. to fit the barrel of the eyelet 42 in back of the flange 41, so that the flange bears against the front of member 43, and against the slot '25 during the. deformation of the barrel, and is restrained from adopting its new shape.

The die is. able to move downward through the annulus to complete the crimping without applying pressur'eto the barrel at the flange."

The front lower edge of the annulus is curved portant, because the flange serves to protect tightly filled tubes against what would otherwise be a cutting metal edge. This protection is lessened as the flange is deformed. V p

In Figs. 7 and 8 is a still further modification, ;pro vided with a' means for ejecting'the cr'imped, eyeletted tube from the lower die as the upper die rises after the crimping operation. In this figure, the number 60 is applied to a pawl attached to and spring biased against .the side of an annulus 43', substantially like that of Fig.

vided with guides 64 upon which ride the flanges 41 of the eyelets 42, thence delivered by the chute 65, the

end of which is aligned with the guides by supporting brackets 66. The upper edges of the member 27' extend sufiiciently far to insure the proper seating of the eyelets.

The general principles and fundamental structures adapted to perform the necessary crimping function having been set forth in Figures 38 and the specification 'hereinbefore, a description is now in order of a complete machine capable of rapid application of crimped eyelet seals to suitably prepared tubes. In Figs.

1 and 2 the number 70 indicates a machine frame having a stationary apertured arm '71 adapted to receive the shank of a die. This arm is provided with an adjust able screw'72' which is adapted to change the vertical position of the die, which is shown to be of the type of Fig. 8.

The shank of the upper die is seated in a suitable socket in a support 73 that is reciprocable in guide 74. This support is reciprocated by a link 75 operated by a bell crank lever 76 pivotally mounted in the split upper end of the frame 70. The lever 76 is connected to and operated by link 77 which is in turn operated by inverted bell crank .78 carried by the frame 70. A foot treadle or a motor operable by foot control may be used to rock the arm 78 through link 79.

A hopper 80 is adapted to receive eyelets and to deliver them to the rotating hopper 81 wherein they are tumbled about and delivered, by a known principle, to guides 82, 83 constituting the chute 65. The hopper 81 is rotated by a pawl 84 and a ratchet gear 85. The pawl is mounted upon the lever 86 which is reciprocated by a link 87 attached pivotally to the end of the bell crank 76. The eyelets are delivered to and fill the guide 65 above the lower die, the operator inserts the pleated end of the tube into the eyelet so that the end is even with the plain end of the barrel, or so that it projects slightly therefrom, the general requirement being that a portion of the pleat shall be within that portion of the barrel which is to be fully crimped. The upper die of the machine is then brought down upon the eyelet which is compressed between the upper and the lower dies, the ribs of which perform the crimping function. If types of dies without the'discharging pawl are employed, the operator lifts the sealed tube out of the lower die as soon as the upper die has been returned to its elevated position, making way for the fall of the next eyelet which is simultaneously released by the escapement and transported by the guides into position.

operation is continuously repeated, the speed thereof being regulated, either automatically or by the operator,

efiiciently.

When the dies having the discharging pawl are employed, the hook of the pawl lifts the sealed end of the tube out of the slotted'die and the weight of the body of the tube carries it out of the machine and into a receptacle, without handling by the operator, who is thus obliged only to fill the eyelets and not to remove those tubes which have been sealed. The internal structure and connections of hoppers 80 and 81 have not been detailed 7 because satisfactory hoppers of that type are known to the prior art. I

The tubes, whether of regenerated cellulose, flexible pellicles of rubber, or other flexible pellicular substances, are sealed by the machine in such a manner that they are impenetrable to liquids and gases. Thus, inthe meatpacking industry sausage, for instance of the Bologna type, may be packed in such sealed containers and cooked in water at, for instance, 140460 degrees F. for several hours without leakage in either direction. It is a matter an escapement 96, comprising a lever 91, having upper and lower prongs 92, 93, that is pivotally mounted upon t the guide. In the upper position of the prong 92, that prong is out of the way of the eyelets, which rest upon prong 93. When the lever 91 is moved to its other position, the prong 92 separates the lowest eyelet from the column,.restraining the other eyelets, and lets it fall down the guides across the dies into the lower die where it is compressed by the next stroke of: the machine.

The escapement is operated by a link 95 attached at its other end to a disk 96 keyed to shaft 97 to which rock arm 76 is also fixedly attached.

In sealing the'ends of tubes the following procedure may be carried out with satisfactory results: The end of a.tube is collapsed or flattened, and is pleated with pleats-of equal size which, when gathered together, form a rectangular body capable of being inserted in the eyelet. This rectangular body should be preferably of such size that it just fits the eyelet. The pleated end may be inserted with the planes of the pleats parallel to the planes of'the crimping ribs, but is preferably inserted at right angles thereto. When the eyelet is delivered to lar machine to tubes andeyelets of different size.

of astonishment that a purely mechanical seal should be so effective with an organic'pellicle. 'It would naturally be supposed that the capillarity of such pellicles would I prevent the making of a satisfactory sealby mechanical 7 means.

Aparticular advantage of this invention is in the making of a tight mechanical seal for organic pellicular tubes and for tubes of other materials. It is to be understood that this sealing means may be employed for metallic tubes that have sufficient flexiblity to withstand compression without cracking.

Another advantage of the invention is in the construc tion of a machine capable of accomplishing this result with a minimum of parts that have to be constructed to close tolerances.

Another advantage of the invention is in simplifying the sealing of casings used in the meat-packing industry.

A still further advantage is in the improvement in sanitation achieved by sealing the ends of flexible meat containers by, sanitary metallic means in replacement of the dirt-collecting strings of the prior art.

Other advantages will be apparent to persons skilled in various arts who have heretofore been confronted with the problem of sealing flexible tubes quickly, inexpensively and satisfactorily.

The construction of the machine is such that dies of different size may replace those particularly illustrated herein, which is important in accommodating a particu- That change of dies may be readily made by unskilled workmen.

As many apparently widely ditterent embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be expressly understood that we do not limit ourselves to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: p 1. A machine for the application of sealing eyelets The operator. then inserts the pleated end of another tube and the comprising a die having crimping means adapted to receive the barrel of an eyelet and having a slot adapted to receive a flange on the eyelet, a cooperating die having a displaceable sleeve adapted to brace the flange on the eyelet and having a cooperating crimping means, and means to operate the dies to crimp the eyelets.

2. A machine for the application of sealing eyelets comprising a die having crimping means adapted to receive the barrel of an eyelet and having a slot adapted to receive a flange on the eyelet, a cooperating die having a displaceable sleeve adapted to brace the flange on the eyelet and having cooperating crimping means, and means to operate the dies to crirnp the eyelets, said crimping means being spaced from the slot and the brace whereby to crimp the barrel of the eyelets without excessively warping the flange thereof.

3. A machine for the application of sealing eyelets comprising a die adapted to receive the barrel of an eyelet and having a slot adapted to receive a flange on the eyelet, a cooperating die having a member displaceable by the barrel of the eyelet and having a face so aligned as to cooperate with the slot to brace the flange on the eyelet during the crimping of the eyelet, cooperating ribs on the dies spaced from the slot and adapted to crimp the barrel of the eyelet, and means to operate the dies to crimp the eyelet. r

4. A machine for the application of flanged sealing eyelets comprising a channel-shaped die adapted to fit the barrel of an eyelet and having a slot adapted to receive a flange on the eyelet, a cooperating die having a displaceable member with a face aligned with the edge of the slot adapted to brace the flange on the eyelet during the crimping of the eyelet barrel by said dies, cooperating ribs on the dies spaced from the slot and adapted to crimp the barrel of the eyelet, means to operate the dies to crimp the eyelets, and means to eject crimped eyelets from the channel-shaped die.

5. A machine for the application of flanged sealing eyelets comprising a channel-shaped die adapted to fit the barrel of an eyelet and having a slot adapted to receive a flange on the eyelet, a cooperating die having a sleeve displaceable by the eyelet and adapted to fit behind and brace the flange on the eyelet during crimping, cooperating ribs on the dies spaced from the slot and adapted to crimp the barrel of the eyelet, means to operate the dies to crimp the eyelet, and a pawl mounted on the displaceable sleeve adapted to eject crimped eyelets from the channel-shaped die.

6. A machine for the application of sealing eyelets comprising a channel-shaped die adapted to fit the barrel of an eyelet and having a slot adapted to receive a flange on the eyelet, a cooperating die movable to engage the eyelet and having a displaceable sleeve with a face constituting in effect a continuation of the slot wall operating during crimping, and cooperating with said wall to brace the flange on the eyelet, cooperating ribs on the dies spaced from the slot and adapted to crimp the barrel of the eyelet, means to operate the dies to crimp the eyelet, and means to feed eyelets to the dies singly.

7. A machine for the application of sealing eyelets comprising a channel-shaped die adapted to fit the barrel of an eyelet and having a slot adapted to receive a flange on the eyelet, a cooperating die having a movable member, constituting in effect a continuation of the slot wall to brace the flange on the eyelet, and to be displaced thereby during crimping, cooperating ribs on the dies spaced from the slot and adapted to crimp the barrel of the eyelet, means to operate the dies to crimp the eyelets, escapement means to feed eyelets to the dies singly, and means to guide the eyelets past the dies into the slot.

8. A machine for the application of flanged barrel fasteners to flexible tubes comprising a channel-shaped die means having a flat die surface with a plurality of small ribs projecting therefrom, a cooperating die means having an opposed flat face and a small rib projecting therefrom in staggered relation to the ribs on the first die means, said channel-shaped die means having a groove in the front face thereof, the width of said groove being greater than the width of the die cavity, a metal plate secured to the front face of the channel-shaped die means overlying said groove, the upper edge of said plate being notched, intermediate the ends thereof, the bottom of said notch being at an elevation to guide and facilitate the insertion of a flexible tube in a barrel fastener located in said die means, the inner surface of said plate and the surface of said groove defining a narrow slot for receiving and bracing the flange of a barrel fastener during the application thereof by the said die means, and means to bring the cooperating die means together upon a fastener.

9. Apparatus for sealing flexible containers by means of a flanged barrel fastener including die means with a relatively flat compression face, guide means for a fastener located on opposite sides of said die face, forming with said face a channel open at the front of said die means,

low, elongated, blunt rib means rising out of said face, guide and bracing means, for the flange of such fastener, attached to the front of said die means having parts spaced from the said face of said die means on opposite sides of said channel forming a slot for the reception of such flange, cooperating die means, said cooperating die means having a conforming compression face and similar rib means in cooperating staggered relation to said rib means, and means to bring said die means together in crimping relation upon a barrel fastener.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 279,020 Ritchie June 5, 1883 431,435 Butts July 1, 1890 1,215,332 Berg Feb. 13, 1917 2,276,140 Andren et al. Mar. 10, 1942 2,305,866 Graf Dec. 22, 1942 2,323,758 Temple July 6, 1943 2,457,538 Dupre Dec. 28, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 444,480 Germany May 21, 1927 

